Ann Torres is a seasoned hardware development engineering leader with over two decades of experience in creating complex technical products. She currently serves as the Senior VP of Engineering and San Francisco Managing Director at Synapse Product Development.1

Professional Background

Ann has an extensive career in product development and engineering leadership:

• Current Role: At Synapse, Ann leads teams that work with clients to transform their businesses by developing new technologies and products. Her approach involves taking a whole system perspective to solve problems, creating solutions that are both technically and commercially viable.1

• Previous Positions:

  • Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Engineering at Cooper Perkins
  • Director of Product Development at Polyera Corporation
  • Product Design at Apple, working on iPad Air and Mini Retina
  • Senior Managing Engineer and SF Office Lead at Function Engineering
  • Product Development Manager at SunPower Corporation

Education

Ann holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which she attended from 1992 to 1996.3

Expertise and Skills

Ann is known for:

• Building and enabling teams to deliver technical solutions with transformative business impact
• Creating mechanical architectures for various products, including wearable devices
• Overseeing product development, testing, and production execution
• Developing key manufacturing relationships in Asia
• Managing cross-functional tasks and fostering development across different engineering disciplines

Leadership

As an organizational leader, Ann excels at bringing complex technical products to market. Her role at Synapse involves not only engineering leadership but also managing the San Francisco office.2

Ann's diverse experience across multiple industries, including consumer electronics, medical devices, and clean technology, has equipped her with a broad perspective on product development and innovation.